2012 jeep wrangler Model Overview

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The 2012 Jeep Wrangler and 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are American icons. With a lineage going back more than 70 years to World War II’s Willys MB Jeep, the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited maintain that go-anywhere, do-anything attitude today.

This year, Jeep made the two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited more capable than ever. All-new for 2012 is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 which produces 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Also new this year is an optional five-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old four-speed unit. A six-speed manual transmission remains standard on all Wranglers.

The Wrangler wears its heritage with pride. It comes standard with four-wheel drive, round headlamps, and Jeep’s signature seven-slat grille. The Wrangler comes standard with a soft-top, and has a hardtop as an available option. The Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are the only true convertible SUVs available today, not counting the question-nobody-asked Nissan Murano crossover convertible. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler in offered in three different trim levels: the base Sport, well-equipped Sahara, and rock-crawling Rubicon. Two special-edition Jeep Wranglers are available: the Wrangler Arctic, and Wrangler Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 edition.

New for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, and a new five-speed automatic transmission. While the new engine may be smaller than the 3.8-liter V-6 it replaces, it produces substantially more horsepower (285 hp), more torque (260 lb-ft), and gets better fuel economy (17/21 mpg city/highway for Wranglers, 16/21 mpg for six-speed manual Wrangler Unlimiteds, 16/20 mpg for the five-speed automatic Wrangler Unlimited) than the Wrangler with the old engine. The new five-speed automatic (straight from the Grand Cherokee) replaces the dated four-speed slushbox, making the Wrangler driving experience much more enjoyable.

The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited’s iconic design dates back more than 70 years to the original World War II Willys MB Jeep. The 2012 Wrangler is available in two different configurations: the two-door four-seat Wrangler, and the four-door five-seat Wrangler Unlimited. Both Wranglers have standard folding convertible tops, and offer a hardtop with removable front panels that allow for open-air driving. The Wrangler comes standard with removable doors (half-sized metal doors are also an option), and a windshield that’s capable of being folded down, allowing for a better view of your surroundings while off-roading.

The 2012 Wrangler’s interior is both well-equipped, and completely functional. The Wrangler is capable of seating four passengers and holding 17.2 cu. ft. of cargo. The longer Wrangler Unlimited can seat five and hold up to 46.4 cu. ft. of cargo. As an off-road oriented vehicle, the Wrangler’s interior is capable of being hosed down and drain to clear it of dirt and mud. The Wrangler is also available with modern tech amenities many can’t live without like satellite navigation, satellite radio, an auxiliary input, a USB input, and even a 115-volt power outlet.

Thanks to the new 285-hp 3.6-liter V-6 than in its previous generation, the Wrangler is no longer the rolling roadblock it was with the old pushrod 3.8 engine. In our testing, a six-speed manual-equipped Wrangler Sport accelerated from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, and came to a dead stop from 60 mph in 147 feet. A five-speed automatic equipped Wrangler Unlimited Sahara we tested accelerated from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and needed 141 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph. All Wranglers come standard with four-wheel drive and a two-range transfer case, making them incredibly capable off-road.

Even though it may be an old-school off-road capable SUV, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler comes with a surprising amount of safety features. All 2012 Wranglers come standard with front driver and passenger airbags, with supplemental side-impact airbags an available option. 2012 Wranglers also get standard traction control, electronic stability control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Trailer-sway Control, and brake traction control. Four-wheel drive and a strong-set of roll bars come standard on the 2012 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$22,045

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$22,475

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.

A loss of transmission fluid may result in a loss of transmission function which may increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and an automatic transmission and manufactured January 23, 2011, through February 23, 2013. The power steering line may contact and wear a hole in the transmission oil cooler line resulting in a loss of transmission fluid.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering return tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N28.

Units Affected

180131

Recall ID#14V631000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.

Units Affected

313772

Recall ID#11V528000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Consequence

A BROKEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IN THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING ASSEMBLY CAN LEAD TO NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 RIGHT HAND DRIVE (RHD) JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2007, THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLIES THAT COULD EXPERIENCE A COMPROMISED AIRBAG CIRCUIT RESULTING IN AN AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATION, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REMEDY THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. CHRYSLER WILL MAIL TO OWNERS AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION DURING MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Units Affected

5437

Recall ID#14V631000 - VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013. Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. Chrysler issued an interim notification to owners on December 8, 2014. The recall began on March 3, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.

Units Affected

313772

Recall ID#13E010000 - EQUIPMENT

Consequence

If the liner shifts forward it may impede the operation of the accelerator and possibly lead to unintended acceleration, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Quadratec, Inc. is recalling certain aftermarket accessory, driver-side, Ultimate Floor Liners part numbers 14254.0301 07, 14254.0301 08, 14254.0301Q, 14254.0302 07, 14254.0302 08, 14254.0302Q, 14254.0303 07, 14254.0303 08, 14254.0303Q, 14254.0309 07, 14254.0309 08, and 14254.0309Q sold from May 1, 2012, through February 14, 2013. The liners are for use in 2007-2013 Jeep Wranglers. The anchor point for the affected floor liners may tear during use, particularly when exposed to high temperatures. The tearing may allow the floor liner to shift forward.

Remedy

Quadratec will notify owners and either exchange the liners or provide them with a hook guard kit to help secure the driver-side mat, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Quadratec at 1-800-463-2998 or info@quadratec.com.

Units Affected

15836

Recall ID#13V176000 - AIR BAGS

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, a broken electrical circuit in the airbag clockspring wiring assembly can lead to non-deployment of the driver-side frontal airbag and will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring and add a steering wheel dust shield, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. This recall supercedes NHTSA recall 11V-528. Chrysler's recall campaign number is M31.

Units Affected

5440

Recall ID#16V352000 - AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Consequence

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Sterling and Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their respective companies. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. A notification schedule has not yet been provided. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43.

Units Affected

4319513

Recall ID#16V288000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE

Consequence

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016. The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices will be mailed to owners on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.

2012 Jeep Wrangler News and Reviews

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